Ball valve with improved assembly configuration

ABSTRACT

A ball valve configured for reduced-time assembly for use with hoses and watering devices typically connected to city water supplies. In particular, the valve is configured to improve the ease of assembly by providing a one-piece snap in handle, ball and retention arrangement which interacts with a seal supported in the valve body to retain the position of the seal during insertion of the one-piece element during valve assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/819,446, filed Nov. 21, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ball valve having molded plasticcomponents. In particular, the valve is configured to improve the easeof assembly by providing a one-piece snap in handle, ball and catchelement which interacts with a seal supported in the valve body toretain the position of the seal during insertion of the one-pieceelement during valve assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment provides a ball valve including a one-piece,integrally-molded, plastic flow-control assembly. The assembly includesa partial ball defining a first cylindrical flow passage having acentral axis, a lower cylindrical shaft extending from one side of theball and having a central, rotational axis which is perpendicular to thecentral axis, a catch arrangement extending from the lower cylindricalshaft including at least one projection, an upper cylindrical shafthaving a first radius and extending from the from the side of the ballopposite to the one side and being disposed about the rotational axis,and a bearing journal having a second radius greater than the firstradius, extending from the upper cylindrical shaft and disposed aboutthe rotational axis. The assembly also includes a user-handle extendingfrom the journal. The lower cylindrical shaft includes a firstcylindrical grove and the journal includes a second cylindrical grove. Afirst seal is located in the first cylindrical groove, and a second sealis located in the second cylindrical groove. The valve also includes aone piece valve body. The body defines a second cylindrical flow passagehaving a second central axis, and lower and upper bearing surfacesdisposed about the rotational axis. The lower bearing surface isadjacent to a cylindrical ridge which is engaged by the projection toprevent movement of the assembly from within the valve body. The upperbearing surface is disposed about the upper cylindrical shaft and thesecond seal and includes a shoulder to limit movement, and define theposition, of the assembly within the valve body along the rotationalaxis. The valve body further defines a cylindrical valve seat grovedefined by a first cylindrical seat surface and a first cylindrical walladjacent to the flow passage, the valve seat being located adjacent tothe ball. A ball seal includes a first surface configured to conform tothe surface of the ball and a first cylindrical extension which islocated within the valve seat. The assembly, seals and valve bodycooperate to permit rotation of the assembly between (i) a closedposition wherein the ball and the ball seal cooperate to prevent fluidflow through the central flow passage such that fluid pressure withinthe valve forces the ball against the ball seal, and (ii) open positionswherein the assembly is rotated within the valve body such that fluidcan flow through the first and second flow passages.

Another embodiment provides a two piece valve. This valve includes aone-piece, integrally-formed flow-control assembly including a partialball defining a first cylindrical flow passage having a central axis, alower cylindrical shaft extending from one side of the ball and having acentral, rotational axis which is perpendicular to the rotational axis,an upper cylindrical shaft having a first radius and extending from thefrom the side of the ball opposite to the one side and being disposedabout the rotational axis, and a bearing journal having a second radiusgreater than the first radius, extending from the upper cylindricalshaft and disposed about the central axis. The assembly also includes auser-handle extending from the journal. The lower cylindrical shaftincludes a first seal located in a first cylindrical grove and thejournal includes a second seal located in a second cylindrical grove.The valve also includes a one piece, integrally formed valve body. Thebody defines a second cylindrical flow passage having a second centralaxis, lower and upper bearing surfaces disposed about the rotationalaxis, the upper bearing surface being disposed about the uppercylindrical shaft and the second seal and including a shoulder to limitmovement, and define the position, of the assembly within the valve bodyalong the rotational axis. The valve body also defines a cylindricalvalve seat grove defined by a first cylindrical seat surface and a firstcylindrical wall adjacent to the flow passage. The valve seat is locatedadjacent to the ball and a ball seal is positioned at the valve seat.The ball seal includes a first surface configured to conform to thesurface of the ball and a first cylindrical extension which is locatedwithin the valve seat. The assembly, seals and valve body cooperate topermit rotation of the assembly between (i) a closed position whereinthe ball and the ball seal cooperate to prevent fluid flow through thecentral flow passage such that fluid pressure within the valve forcesthe ball against the ball seal, and (ii) open positions wherein theassembly is rotated within the valve body such that fluid can flowthrough the first and second flow passages.

Another embodiment provides a method for assembling a two-piece valveand seal. The method includes locating seals within cylindrical grovesof a one-piece, integrally-molded, plastic flow-control assembly whichincludes a partial ball defining a first cylindrical flow passage havinga central axis. A lower cylindrical shaft extends from one side of theball and has a central, rotational axis which is perpendicular to thecentral axis, an upper cylindrical shaft having a first radius andextending from the from the side of the ball opposite to the one sideand is disposed about the central axis, and a bearing journal having asecond radius greater than the first radius, extending from the uppercylindrical shaft and disposed about the central axis. The assembly alsoincludes and a user-handle extending from the journal. The lowercylindrical shaft includes one of the cylindrical grooves and thejournal includes the other of the cylindrical grooves. The method alsoincludes locating a ball seal, including a first surface configured toconform to the surface of the ball, within the valve body such that afirst cylindrical extension of the ball seal is located within a valveseat in a valve body. The valve body defines a second cylindrical flowpassage having a second central axis, the flow body defining lower andupper bearing surfaces disposed about the rotational axis, the lowerbearing surface being adjacent to a cylindrical ridge which is engagedby the projection to prevent movement of the assembly from within thevalve body, the upper bearing surface being disposed about the uppercylindrical shaft and the second seal and including a shoulder to limitmovement, and define the position, of the assembly within the valve bodyalong the rotational axis. The valve body defines a cylindrical valveseat grove defined by the cylindrical seat surface and a firstcylindrical wall adjacent to the flow passage with the valve seat beinglocated adjacent to the ball. The method also includes inserting theassembly within the valve body and engaging a retainer assembly with theassembly and the valve body to permit rotation of the flow-controlassembly within the valve body while simultaneously restricting removalof the flow-control assembly from the valve body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the valve;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the valve;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views of the valve;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the valve;

FIG. 7 is an end view of an embodiment of a ball assembly;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the ball assembly;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the ball valve taken along line 9-9 inFIG. 6.

FIG. 10a is a sectional view of one embodiment of the valve with a firstembodiment of a ball valve seat;

FIG. 10b is a sectional view of one embodiment of the valve with asecond embodiment of a ball valve seat;

FIG. 10c is a sectional view of one embodiment of the valve with a thirdembodiment of a ball valve seat;

FIG. 10d is a sectional view of one embodiment of the valve with thethird embodiment of the ball valve seat and an alternative to ballassembly retention arrangement; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates components of a ball valve configured forreduced-time assembly. The valve is for use with hoses and wateringdevices typically connected to city water supplies. In particular, thevalve is configured to improve the ease of assembly by providing (in oneembodiment) a one-piece snap in handle, ball and retention arrangementwhich interacts with a seal supported in the valve body to retain theposition of the seal during insertion of the one-piece element duringvalve assembly. Referring again to FIG. 1, a ball valve 10 includes:

A ball assembly 12;

A top seal 14 (e.g. O-ring);

A bottom seal 16 (e.g. O-ring);

A valve body 18;

A ball valve seal 20; and

An optional cylindrical hose seal 22.

FIGS. 2-6 and 11 illustrate valve 10 with all of the componentsassembled.

The description of one embodiment of ball assembly 12 is now made inreference to FIGS. 1 and 7-10 d. Ball assembly 12 may be a one-pieceinjection molded plastic structure but could be formed from a metal suchas, for example brass or stainless steel. By way of example, the plasticused for assembly 12 may be Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known asacetal, polyacetal and polyformaldehyde, which provides high stiffness,low friction, and an appropriate dimensional stability. One embodimentof assembly 12 includes:

a partial ball 24;

a cylindrical flow passage 25;

a lower cylindrical shaft 26;

an upper cylindrical shaft 28;

a catch arrangement 30;

projections 31;

a bearing journal 32;

a stop 33;

a user handle 34;

a cylindrical groove 36; and

a cylindrical groove 38.

Partial ball 24 includes the cylindrical flow passage 25 which has acentral axis CX as shown. The lower cylindrical shaft 26 extends fromthe bottom side of the ball 24 and is disposed about (i.e. a surfaceconcentric with) a central, rotational axis RX which is perpendicular tothe central axis CX. Catch arrangement 30 extends from the lowercylindrical shaft 26 and includes a pair of projections/catches 31.Upper cylindrical shaft 28 has a first radius and extends from the topside of the ball 24 and is disposed about the rotational axis RX.Bearing journal 32 has a second radius greater than the radius of shaft28. Journal 32 extends upwardly from shaft 26 above groove 36 and isdisposed about the rotational axis. User handle 34 is formed integrallywith assembly 12 at the top of journal bearing 32. A depression 40 maybe formed at the interface between journal bearing 32 and handle 34 toconserve the material from which assembly 12 is fabricated. Depression40 may also serve as a tooling interface which inserts assembly 12 intovalve body 18.

The lower cylindrical shaft includes cylindrical grove 38 and bearing 32includes second cylindrical grove 36. Seal 14 is located in cylindricalgroove 36, and seal 16 is located in cylindrical groove 38.

Valve 10 also includes one piece valve body 18. Valve body 18 may be aone-piece injection molded plastic structure but could be formed from ametal such as, for example brass or stainless steel. By way of example,the plastic used for body 18 may be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS). An embodiment of valve body 18 will now be described in detail inreference to FIGS. 9-10 d. The features of valve body 18 (and seal 20)include:

Female hose threads 42;

Male hose threads 44;

Passage entry 45;

Flow passage 46;

Passage exit 47;

Upper bearing surface 48;

Lower bearing surface 50;

Cylindrical ridge/edge 52;

Bearing shoulder 54;

Rotational stops 56;

Valve seat 57;

Cylindrical valve seal groove 58;

Cylindrical seat surface 59;

Cylindrical wall 60;

Seal surface 62;

Cylindrical extension 64;

Flow surface 66;

Cylindrical extension 68;

Channel 70; and

Cylindrical extension 72.

Valve body 18 is formed to define flow passage 46 which has a passageentry 45 including threads 42 and a passage exit 47 having threads 44.By way of example these threads 42 and 44 may be compatible with astandard garden hose. However, with the increase in use of plasticplumbing in homes, in the case of a plastic valve housing 18 threads 42and 44 may be of a size to fit standard plumbing fittings or formed toexclude the threads to include a gluing interface with plastic plumbing.In the case of a metal housing 18, threads 42 and 44 may be madecompatible with standard plumbing treads or replaced with a smoothsurface to provide a soldered plumbing joint (i.e. sweat joint). Flowpassage 46 is formed about and concentric with the second flow passageSX.

When valve 10 is assembled lower bearing surface 50 is adjacent tocylindrical ridge 52 which is engaged by the projection 31 to preventmovement of the ball assembly 12 from within the valve body 18 (i.e.upwardly) when the valve 10 is pressurized. The upper bearing surface 48is disposed about the bearing journal 32 and seals 14 and 16 andincludes bearing shoulder 54 to limit movement, and define the position,of the assembly 12 within the valve body 18 along the rotational axisRX.

The valve body 18 further defines a first embodiment of valve seat 57having cylindrical valve seat grove 58 defined by the cylindrical seatsurface 59 and a first cylindrical wall 60 adjacent to the flow passage46. Valve seat 57 is located adjacent to the ball 24 such that seal 20is located and supported relative to ball 24 to provide a sealinginterface between valve body 18 and ball 24. Ball seal 20 includes asealing surface 62 configured to conform to the surface of the ball 24.Seal 20 includes a first cylindrical extension 64 which is locatedwithin the grove 58 of seat 57

By way of example only, seals 14, 16 and 20 may be molded from asynthetic rubber such as EPDM 70 durometer rubber (ethylene propylenerubber) and a lubricant such as a silicone applied thereto to facilitatemanual opening and closing of valve 10.

The assembly 12, seals 14, 16 and 20 and valve body 18 cooperate topermit rotation of the assembly 12 between (i) a closed position whereinthe ball 24 and the ball seal 20 cooperate to prevent fluid flow throughthe central flow passage 46 such that fluid pressure applied by a fluidsource to the passage entry 46 forces the ball 24 against the ball seal20 with axes CX and SX generally perpendicular, and (ii) open positionwherein the assembly 12 is rotated within the valve body 18 such thatfluid can flow through valve 10 from passage entry 45 through flowpassage 25 and out passage exit 47 when axes CX and SX are moved fromtheir generally perpendicular orientation.

To limit rotation of valve body 18 between the valve 10 fully openposition (i.e. axes CX and SX generally parallel) and the valve 10 fullyclosed position (i.e. axes CX and SX generally perpendicular), journalbearing 32 is provided with a stop 33 which is positioned on bearing 32to interact with rotational stops 56. In one embodiment, stops 33 and 56are position such that valve 10 is fully open when handle 34 ispositioned as shown in the Figures and fully closed when handle 34 isrotated generally perpendicular to the position of handle 34 shown inthe Figures.

Referring now to FIG. 10b , a second embodiment of valve seat 57 andcorresponding ball seal 20 will be described. In the first embodimentcylindrical wall 60 forms a portion of the flow surface 66 of passageexit 47 which is believed to provide less turbulence at that location invalve 10 during fluid flow. However, an important feature of theembodiments of the valve seat 57 and seal 20 is that the seal 20 stayswithin the seat 57 when ball assembly 12 is forced down into housing 18during assembly. The first embodiment provides this feature. The secondembodiment also provides this feature, but cylindrical wall 60 is offsetfrom the flow surface 66 as shown in FIG. 10b . With this embodiment,seal 20 includes a second cylindrical extension 68 which cooperates withthe first cylindrical extension 64 to provide a channel 70 engaged bywall 60. In this embodiment, extension 68 provides a portion of flowsurface 66.

Referring now to FIG. 10c , a third embodiment of valve seat 57 andcorresponding ball seal 20 will be described. In the second embodiment asingly cylindrical wall 60 is offset from the flow surface 66 as shownin FIG. 10b . In the third embodiment wall 60 remains in the sameposition as the first embodiment. However, a second cylindrical wall 72is provided as shown. With this embodiment, the configuration of seal 20remains generally the same. However, channel 70 engaged by wall 72 andwall 60 again forms a portion of surface 66 as shown.

Referring to 10 d, a second embodiment of an additional element forholding projections 31 in contact with edge 52 is shown in particular ascrew 74 is engaged between projections 31 to force them outward. Theuse of screw 74 is not necessary under certain operational pressures,but may be useful depending upon the particular configuration ofprojections 31 and edge 52. In another embodiment, edge 52 would have asurface with slants from the outside of its perimeter downwardly to theinside of its perimeter, and projections 31 would include surfaces whichslant upwardly from the inside of catch arrangement 30 to the outsideedges of projections 31. This arrangement allows projections 31 to hookthe surface of the surface of edge 52 such that as water pressure endsto force ball assembly 12 upwardly, projections 31 are further forcedoutwardly and in contact with edge 52.

In another embodiment a method for assembling the valve of theembodiments described above is provided. In particular the current valveis designed to avoid labor by avoiding the step of inserting a ballvalve portion into a valve housing, aligning the portion to a handle andshaft and then attaching the portions. Of particular value in avoidingthis step is the seat 57 and seal 20 configurations discussed in detailabove. The method involves applying seal 20 to seat 57, lubricating seat57 and/or ball 24, applying seals 14 and 16 to ball assembly 12 and theninserting assembly 12 into housing 18 along axis RX. The interaction ofseal 20 and seat 57 prevents seal 20 from moving out of place when ball24 moves into engagement with seal 20 while seal 16 and shaft 26 fullyengage bearing surface 50, and projections 31 are flexed inwardly willpassing by edge 52 to cause projections 31 to engage with the surface ofedge 52 to restrict motion of assembly 12 relative to housing 18 whenvalve 10 is pressurized. Subsequently, if necessary, screw 74 can beengaged between projections 31. Alternatively and push pin typeconnector may be used in place of screw 74. As a further alternative,catch arrangement 30 may take a form which does not include projections31. Rather, arrangement 30 may include a hole which is engaged with afastener such as a screw or push-pin which includes a head whichinteracts directly with the surface of edge 52 to restrict motion ofassembly 12 relative to housing 18 when valve 10 is pressurized.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, includingangles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions and anglesof the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodimentsinclude any combination of one or more relative dimensions or anglesthat may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions notexpressly set out in this description can be determined by using theratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with theexpress dimensions set out in this description.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball valve comprising: a one-piece integrallyformed ball assembly that includes: a user handle; a partial ballcoupled to the user handle; an upper cylindrical shaft that extends froma top side of the partial ball and centered about a rotational axis; acylindrical flow passage extending through the partial ball when thehandle is rotated about the rotational axis to orient the cylindricalflow passage in the partial ball in an open position relative to acentral axis of the ball valve, the cylindrical flow passage beingoriented perpendicularly to the rotational axis; a lower cylindricalshaft that extends from a bottom side of the partial ball and iscentered about the rotational axis; and a catch extending from the lowercylindrical shaft; and a one-piece integrally formed valve body with aflow passage extending along the central axis and through the valvebody, the flow passage selectively extending through the cylindricalflow passage when the partial ball is oriented in the open position, thevalve body including: an upper bearing surface located adjacent to theupper cylindrical shaft about the rotational axis, and a lower bearingsurface located adjacent to a cylindrical ridge that engages the catch;and a retainer that engages the catch on the lower cylindrical shaft andinteracts with the valve body proximate to the lower bearing surface toretain the ball assembly within the valve body.
 2. The valve of claim 1,further comprising a bearing journal coupled to the handle, the bearingjournal comprising a cylindrical groove that couples to a top seal onthe upper bearing surface of the valve body.
 3. The valve of claim 1,further comprising a cylindrical groove on the lower cylindrical shaftof the ball assembly, the cylindrical groove couples to a bottom seal onthe lower bearing surface of the valve body.
 4. The valve of claim 1,wherein the valve body includes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).5. The valve of claim 1, further comprising two or more rubber O-rings.6. The valve of claim 1, wherein at least one seal includes EPDM.
 7. Thevalve of claim 1, further comprising rotational stops on the valve bodythat interact with the handle on the ball assembly to prevent rotationof the handle when the cylindrical flow passage in the partial ball isin the open position.
 8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the catch doesnot include projections.
 9. The valve of claim 1, further comprising acylindrical extension and a channel on a ball seal that engages a wallbetween the cylindrical flow passage and the flow passage.
 10. The valveof claim 9, further comprising a flow surface that couples thecylindrical flow passage to an exit of the valve body.
 11. A ball valve,comprising: a one-piece integrally formed ball assembly that includes: auser handle; a partial ball coupled to the user handle; an uppercylindrical shaft that extends from a top side of the partial ball andcentered about a rotational axis; a cylindrical flow passage extendingthrough the partial ball when the handle is rotated about the rotationalaxis to orient the cylindrical flow passage in the partial ball in anopen position relative to a central axis of the ball valve, thecylindrical flow passage being oriented perpendicularly to therotational axis; a lower cylindrical shaft that extends from a bottomside of the partial ball and centered about the rotational axis; and acatch extending from the lower cylindrical shaft that includes aprojection; and a one-piece integrally formed valve body with a flowpassage extending along the central axis and through the valve body, theflow passage selectively extending through the cylindrical flow passagewhen the partial ball is oriented in the open position, the valve bodyincluding: an upper bearing surface located adjacent to the uppercylindrical shaft about the rotational axis, a lower bearing surfacelocated adjacent to a cylindrical ridge that engages the projection onthe catch, the projection being biased into engagement with thecylindrical ridge by a retainer; and a cylindrical valve seat groovebetween a cylindrical seat surface and a cylindrical wall adjacent to anexit of the partial ball along the flow passage, the valve seat groovebeing located adjacent to the partial ball; and a ball seal thatconforms to a surface adjacent to an entry of the partial ball.
 12. Thevalve of claim 11, further comprising a second projection that forms apair of projections and wherein the retainer is a screw that includes ahead, wherein the screw adjustably forces outside edges of the pair ofprojections t hook the cylindrical ridge of the lower bearing surface ofthe valve body.
 13. The valve of claim 11, wherein at least one of theball assembly and the valve body are formed from a plastic material thatincludes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
 14. The valve of claim11, further comprising rotational stops on the valve body that interactwith the handle on the ball assembly to prevent rotation of the handlewhen the cylindrical flow passage in the partial ball is in the openposition.
 15. The valve of claim 11, further comprising a top sealbetween the upper bearing surface and the upper cylindrical shaft and abottom seal between the lower bearing surface and the lower cylindricalshaft, wherein at least one of the top seal and the bottom seal isfabricated from EPDM.
 16. The valve of claim 15, wherein the top sealand the bottom seal are rubber O-rings, and the ball assembly and thevalve body are injection molded plastics.
 17. The valve of claim 11,further comprising a cylindrical extension and a channel on the ballseal that engages a wall between the cylindrical flow passage and theflow passage, wherein a flow surface couples the cylindrical flowpassage to the exit of the valve body.
 18. The valve of claim 17,further comprising a second cylindrical wall located within the valveseat groove that defines the channel, wherein the cylindrical extensionis located in the channel, and includes a second cylindrical extensionlocated in a second channel.
 19. A valve assembly; comprising: aone-piece integrally formed ball assembly that includes: a user handle;a partial ball coupled to the user handle; an upper cylindrical shaftthat extends from a top side of the partial ball and centered about arotational axis; a cylindrical flow passage extending through thepartial ball when the handle is rotated about the rotational axis toorient the cylindrical flow passage in the partial ball in an openposition relative to a central axis of the valve assembly, thecylindrical flow passage being oriented perpendicularly to therotational axis; a lower cylindrical shaft that extends from a bottomside of the partial ball and centered about e rotational axis; a catchextending from the lower cylindrical shaft that includes two or moreprojections; and a retainer engaged between the two or more projectionsto force the projections outward; and a one-piece integrally formedvalve body with a flow passage extending along the central axis andthrough the valve body, the flow passage selectively extending throughthe cylindrical flow passage when the partial ball is oriented in theopen position, the valve body including: an inlet that has a passageentry, the inlet comprising female threads along the flow passage andwithin the passage entry; an outlet that has a passage exit, the outlethas male threads along the passage on an exterior surface of the passageexit; an upper bearing surface located adjacent to the upper cylindricalshaft about the rotational axis, a lower bearing surface locatedadjacent to a cylindrical ridge that engages the two or more projectionson the catch, the projections being biased into engagement with thecylindrical ridge, wherein the retainer adjusts a biasing force of theprojections against the cylindrical ridge; and a cylindrical valve seatgroove between a cylindrical seat surface and a cylindrical walladjacent to an exit of the partial ball along the flow passage, thevalve seat groove being located adjacent to the partial ball; and a ballseal that conforms to a surface adjacent to an entry of the partialball, wherein the retainer engages the catch on the lower cylindricalshaft and interacts with the valve body proximate to the lower bearingsurface to retain the ball assembly within the valve body.
 20. The valveassembly of claim 19, wherein the retainer is a push-pin connector.